52 local projects have benefited from the money since the fund was launched on 1 September 2024
The Viking Community Fund has provided a financial boost to communities in the Shetland Islands by awarding over £1,000,000 to local projects.
It has seen 52 projects benefit from the fund since it was launched in September last year.
Projects who have been awarded sums from the fund vary, from £500 given to local youth clubs and sports teams, to larger sums of £200,000 awarded for the MRI Scanner Appeal and Energy Efficiency programme respectively.
Strategic Priority Projects account for over £600,000 of the total awarded, and include £114,349 to the Brae Rural Energy Hub towards staffing costs over four years from November 2025 to October 2029.
Andrew Hall, Director of the Brae Rural Energy Hub board said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Viking Community Fund. Having staff within the Brae Rural Energy Hub is essential to its success.
“Our staff will be located within the Hub at the Brae Youth and Community Centre daily, offering the public support in our services such as hiring electric bikes, using our co-working space and electric chargers.
“As well as this, they are there to co-ordinate events and offer energy advice, supporting the community to reduce energy costs and increase awareness of simple ways to reduce carbon footprint.”
The South Nesting Boating Club were awarded £79,800 to help fund an Environmental Impact Assessment to progress their marina project, with £60,000 allocated to the Scalloway Community Development Company for a District Heating Feasibility study.
Other projects include £34,200 to the Brae Community Hall to upgrade the surface of its car park and Bigton Community Shop also received £3,850 for a similar project. Youth focused projects included £920 for new equipment and roller skates for the Lunnasting Young Ones Club, £1,000 for the 1st Aith Brownies for filmmaking equipment and £766 for sports equipment and craft kits for the Tingwall Youth Club.
Eleanor Gear, the Shetland Community Benefit Fund Manager, said: “It’s not always the largest grant awards that deliver the greatest value to our communities, often those smaller grants to enhance a project or test an idea have just as big an impact.”
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